Managing Cancer Pain
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Facts About Cancer Pain Medicines
The best way to treat cancer pain is to treat the cancer itself with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery or a combination of these therapies. However, these may not be completely successful in relieving all the pain.
Fortunately, many effective pain relieving medicines called analgesics are available. Here are some facts you might want to know about these pain medicines:
- Non-narcotic medicines such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) are helpful for mild pain. Aspirin-like drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve, etc.) may also be very effective.
- Mild narcotic pain medicines such as codeine are used for moderate pain. Codeine is often combined with aspirin or acetaminophen.
- Stronger narcotic pain medicines such as morphine are effective for more severe pain. These medicines may also be combined with aspirin or acetaminophen for more pain relief. These medications can be given in many different ways: orally, by suppository, by injection, intravenously (in your vein) or through patches worn on the skin.
- Other prescribed medications may not be pain relievers per se but may help in pain relief.
- Pain relief medications may cause side effects, but they are manageable. See Managing the Side Effects of Cancer Pain Medicines for more information.
- There are many other ways to manage your pain, including breathing techniques, relaxation and imagery techniques, the use of heat and cold, and massage therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cancer Pain Medicines
Managing the Side Effects of Cancer Pain Medicines